People are being urged to roll up their sleeves and help ensure Sidmouth looks its very best this summer as the town goes for glory in this year’s Britain in Bloom competition.

The town is fighting to become the UK champion of champions and will go head-to-head with Truro, Didsbury, Market Bosworth, Usk and Newcastle-under-Lyme.

But Sidmouth in Bloom says it will not be able to do it alone and is calling on residents and businesses to help tidy up the town before judges arrive in the summer.

“It is not Disneyland for a day, it has to be continuous throughout the year,” said Peter Endersby, of Sidmouth in Bloom.

“Sidmouth in Bloom will get the town so far but to get to the top everyone in the town has to contribute.”

To help, Sidmouth Town Council has announced a series of task force days to clean up sections of Sidmouth, beginning on April 11, in the town centre.

Members hope it will be an ongoing initiative to encourage residents to keep Sidmouth looking its best throughout the year.

Councillor Ian Barlow said: “We want to be the best in the whole country, no iffing and butting.”

Christopher Holland, town clerk, added: “We should take pride in our town. We want to help people help themselves, it doesn’t take much to do litter picking or weeding or keep the pavement clear.”

The council has arranged for a cherry picker to help clean the gutters on the day and will be working with the district council and Sidmouth in Bloom to give out tasks to helpers.

The group is also on the hunt for members to join its Sidforce team to help on its own clean up days.

This year’s displays in The Triangle and Blackmore Gardens will be in a colour scheme of red, yellow and blue and it is hoped residents will use the colours in their own displays.

Lynette Talbot, chairman of the in bloom group, said: “We are going flat out to succeed but cannot do this alone, we need the support and collaboration of all who live in Sidmouth.”

To join Sidmouth in Bloom email info@sidmouthinbloom.org